My GT7 Log: The star of GT PSP

The next Gran Turismo star we'll be showcasing in Gran Turismo 7 is the Chevrolet C6 Corvette ZR1, the cover car of the Gran Turismo PSP game launched in 2009. Although some fans expressed disappointment over the PSP version of Gran Turismo, they've been given the chance to try out the ultimate C6 Corvette ever built and their disappointment winded down a bit.

So, what is the C6 ZR1, you may ask? Launched as a 2009 Model, the C6 Corvette ZR1 is billed as the fastest car ever to come out of America. Made to tackle against the European supercars on the road and track, the C6 ZR1 is powered by a 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine producing 620HP of power and 823Nm of torque while mated exclusively to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Apart from the performance, the ZR1 features specially-developed Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, standard carbon-ceramic drilled disc brake rotors, larger brake calipers, MRC with track-level suspension, carbon fiber materials, high-capacity dual-disc clutch, and improved torque tube, among many others. Thanks to such improvements, the C6 ZR1 is capable of hitting top speeds of almost 200mph.

I had fond memories driving the C6 ZR1 in the GT PSP game, despite the fact that it's downright challenging to handle from the start. It made me rethink the way American muscles behave and while the Corvette is meant to be a muscle car from the start, the ZR1 evolved the C6 Corvette into a half-decent supercar that targets Europe's finest. It may be wild at heart as an American-made sports car but deep down, it tries hard to become a world-class sports car and it almost did in flying colors.

To test this notion, I went back to Laguna Seca to give the C6 ZR1 a quick refresher and a quick lap. This is interesting because this is like the US commercial for the GT PSP game where a pro driver drives the C6 ZR1 around Laguna Seca while someone next to him plays the game using the same car and the same track. Anyway, no time for nostalgia, it's time to roll the tape.

After a quick lap around Laguna Seca, it did it in 1:40.955. By such stats, it's quicker than the first Ford GT. Guess the whole "May The Best Car Win" campaign set up by General Motors should have worked with this car.

The C6 Corvette ZR1 forever reshaped American sports cars because of the performance and dynamics equivalent of its European competition and this high-performance patriot is proud to wave the American flag to the world's most challenging racetracks, including the Nurburgring. The joys of being an American, huh?

What other Gran Turismo stars should I drive next? Stay tuned for more.